An Adult With Thumb Sign In The Lateral Neck Radiograph
- Author:
Irfan Mohamad
;
Mohd Syafwan Mohd Soffian
;
Amran Mohamad
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Epiglottis;
Thumb sign;
Epiglottitis;
Adult;
Abscess
- MeSH:
Epiglottitis
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences
2015;11(1):85-88
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Acute epiglottitis though relatively common in pediatric patients as compared to adults, present with
almost similar clinical presentations. They include voice change, difficulty or painful swallowing
and sometimes with upper airway obstruction. Physical finding of swollen epiglottis is difficult to be
obtained owing to the danger of introducing laryngeal mirror into the oropharynx as to avoid contact
spasm. The diagnostic thumb sign appearance on lateral neck radiograph is considered pathognomonic
of epiglottitis. We report a case of an adult with clinical features and radiological finding of an acute
epiglottitis, which did not resolve with antibiotic treatment. Subsequent imaging confirmed the presence
of an abscess in the epiglottic mucosa.
- Full text:P020150604467124663586.pdf
